This is an open letter to the Minister of National Diversity and Social Integration.
You may have seen a recent article in the T&T Guardian of July 17, indicating that the one remaining (west) wall of what used to be Greyfriars Church of Scotland is in danger of being taken down as the owner of the site, Mr Alfred Galy is concerned about "the danger to passersby and motorists." It doesn't take much to see through this comment as the structure could easily be shored up.
Mr Galy, a businessman and property developer, is on record as saying he didn't purchase a church he bought a property.
As the Minister whose portfolio includes the National Trust and the protection of historic sites, you spoke about establishing a "heritage block" in the old historic heart of Port-of-Spain. The feature in the Guardian (Tuesday, August 4) on the work of the National Trust makes absolutely no mention of this.
What progress have you made? You have been very silent on the Greyfriars issue for months. The Elders of the local Church of Scotland who sold this "property" have turned their backs on what for them was just a valuable piece of real estate having made absolutely no provision for the historic structures to be preserved.
Mr Minister, you have a responsibility to the many citizens who care passionately for this country's heritage including those with strong emotional ties to Greyfriars.
Time is against us. Mr Galy seems to be growing impatient.
Jennifer de Verteuil